A private conversation needs a practical plan
Practical preparation for video therapy across California.
Making Private Space for Telehealth
Sharing a home can make it difficult to find a place to speak freely. A video appointment may be convenient while still requiring thought about who can hear you, interruptions and the device you use.
Privacy questions are worth discussing before care begins. Shoreline can explain its telehealth process and help you consider whether the format fits your circumstances.
Maybe this sounds familiar
01
You live with people who may overhear.
02
Your available space changes from week to week.
03
You share devices or billing arrangements.
04
You want to understand communication between sessions.
01 · Understand
Consider what you can control in your setting
You can ask the clinician what environment is needed for participation and what to do if privacy is interrupted. A closed room or headphones may be part of your plan, but no simple setup guarantees that other people cannot hear or access information.
If you cannot arrange a suitable setting, tell the clinician. Do not assume you should disclose sensitive information in a place where you feel watched or unsafe. The appropriateness of video care deserves an individual discussion.
02 · Practice
Keep clinical information in the right channel
An ordinary website form is intended for basic contact and fit questions, not detailed personal history. Ask how to complete intake forms, share documents and communicate between appointments through the practice's approved process.
Also clarify who may receive appointment or billing information if another person helps arrange or pay for care. Privacy has limits and circumstances that need explanation; this page does not promise absolute confidentiality or replace the clinician's informed-consent discussion.
03 · Choose Your Next Step
Practical preparation for any Shoreline service
All six treating clinicians offer care by video across California. These preparation questions apply across services, including work with Holly Whitmore, Emily Chen, Misty Goldenberg, Nicola Loretto, Dina Abdelaal and Aidé Merito.
Your service needs, language preference and clinician availability still guide matching. Ask your clinician about the platform, a private setting and what to do if a connection or privacy problem interrupts a session.
A therapist who fits you
These clinicians offer the related service. Availability and the right approach for your situation are part of the consultation.
Holly Whitmore
MA, LMFT
Gottman couples therapy and IFS
View profile
Emily Chen
AMFT
EFT, attachment and inner child work
View profile
Misty Goldenberg
AMFT
EMDR, perinatal and couples work
View profile
Nicola Loretto
MA, AMFT
Grief, identity and Gottman couples work
View profile
Dina Abdelaal
AMFT
Trauma and PTSD, in English and Spanish
View profile
Aidé Merito
AMFT, APCC
Teens, identity and trauma, in English and Spanish
View profileFees in brief
We are in network with Aetna (PPO and EPO plans only), Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum and Blue Shield of California. Not every clinician is in network with every plan.
Seeing someone out of network? We provide superbills you can submit for reimbursement.
Rates and insuranceLicensed therapist
$180
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Associate therapist
$150
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Questions before you begin
Can I assume headphones make a session completely private?
No. Headphones do not address every privacy concern in a room, device or account. Discuss your setting with the clinician and ask what arrangements are appropriate.
How do I ask about this service?
Tell the practice the broad kind of support you are seeking, your language preference and whether you have a clinician in mind. Fit, availability and any fee or insurance arrangement need to be confirmed before an appointment.
A small first step
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss provider fit, availability and the next step. Keep personal and health details out of an ordinary website inquiry. Ongoing sessions are offered by video within California.
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Make room for a different conversation
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation. We'll help you consider provider fit and next steps.